Saturday, Sep 8, 2012

Three puppy dogs, all less than one-month-old were turned over to the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society Monday with severe injuries to their hind legs after being found on Albany railroad tracks.

The three pit bull mix puppies were discovered on Saturday by a railroad employee on the tracks running between North Pearl Street and Broadway.

Upon arrival at the Humane Society the puppies were immediately assessed and given lifesaving treatment for dehydration and infections caused by their wounds.

"There's no way this was an accident," Brad Shear, Executive Director said. "All three puppies have similar injuries to their left rear paws; one puppy's paw has been completely severed. That just doesn't happen by accident," Shear continued.

According to the Humane Society, one of the puppy's paws appeared to be sawed clean off. The other two puppies had holes going through their paws.

"We theorize that someone nailed their paws to the track, to the wood, and these got loose but we can't really say for sure," said Shear.

At this point there are no suspects in the case. As for the puppies, the Humane Society says they have months of recovery ahead of them, but are all expected to survive.

"It's possible this puppy may end up losing its leg entirely," said Shear, holding up another victim.

The Mohawk Hudson Humane Society would like anyone who may have information about the person who harmed the puppies to call them at 518-434-8128.

Case Updates

Hudson will soon be hopping again.

The now 6-week-old, doe-eyed pit bull puppy that was abandoned by an Albany railroad track three weeks ago was fitted Monday for a prosthetic paw.

The fitting was performed by Dr. Tom Bowersox, a local veterinary surgeon, said Brad Shear, the executive director of the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society.

Bowersox carefully made a molding of Hudson's rear left leg, where his tiny paw used to be. The molding will be sent to a prosthesis manufacturer in Canada and then shipped back to Bowersox, who will fit Hudson with his synthetic paw, Shear said.

The procedure is rare, Shear said.

"I've never seen this done before," he said.

On Sept. 10, Hudson was one of three emaciated puppies found on the tracks just north of the Ida Yarbrough Apartments. One of the dogs had to be euthanized. The other, Pearl, was found with holes in one of her paws. Two of her toes are missing. Officials with the humane society believe the injuries were intentionally inflicted, possibly by hammering a nail through the pups' paws.

Light-brown with a white belly, nose and streak of white fur between his eyes, Hudson earned his name because he was found near Hudson Avenue. Pearl was found closer to Pearl Street.

Police are still searching for the person who abandoned the puppies. A $7,000 reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest.

Shear said he has received hundreds of calls from all over the country from people who want to adopt the dogs.

"We still get calls every day," Shear said. "People just feel like they really connect with these little guys."

Without his paw, Hudson is having a hard time putting weight on his hind legs, Shear said. Pearl likely will not need corrective surgery.

The dogs are being cared for by a certified animal rehabilitation specialist at the humane society's foster home. Both are healthy and doing fine, Shear said.

"They have a great attitude," Shear said.

Shear said the popular pooches won't be ready for adoption for at least another six weeks.

The Mohawk Hudson Humane Society sadly announced that the smallest of the 3 young pit bull mix puppies who were rescued on Saturday died due to her frail condition and the trauma caused by her injuries.

The puppies have been closely monitored since they arrived on Saturday when they were immediately given lifesaving treatment for malnutrition, dehydration and infections caused by their wounds. The smallest of the recued puppies was given I.V. fluids and additional supportive care since she was not eating or drinking and she seemed to respond to the treatment but then took a sudden downward turn.

The puppy seemed to be doing better but suddenly her heart stopped. The veterinary staff did CPR and her little heart started beating. Then it stopped again and she could not be resuscitated.

References

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